Miracles needed in Surrey County Cricket Club's promotion push

Wins in last two games won't be enough without help from the Gods as they try to get back into LV= County Championship Division One

Heading back to New Road? Aneesh Kapil's maiden first-class century against New Zealand A could earn him a crack against his old county (Photo: Grahame Larter)

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Surrey must claim crushing victories in their final two matches and hope the Gods smile on them if they are to gain promotion.

They trail LV= County Championship Division Two leaders Worcestershire – who they visit from Tuesday – by a massive 39 points and second-placed Hampshire by 32 after the latter crushed bottom side Leicestershire this week.

Although Worcestershire have lost their last two matches, nine more points will guarantee them a place in Division One so if they fail to get them at New Road next week they should manage it when while playing Essex in three weeks time.

“Hampshire need to have two horrible games or get totally washed out,” said Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart, whose side also have Derbyshire to play at The Oval from September 15-18.

“We’re in the hands of other teams and that’s never a good position to be in.”

Jason Roy will rejoin the squad after his expected T20 debut for England against India on Sunday, having recovered from a nasty blow on the right thumb in this week’s tour match against New Zealand A at The Oval.

Kevin Pietersen has not been ruled out of an LVCC appearance at Worcester but it is looking increasingly unlikely and Surrey are more likely to give Aneesh Kapil an opportunity against the county who released him at the end of last season.

The 21-year-old followed a century against Sussex for the second team at Purley last week with an aggressive 41 as the hosts were shot out by the Kiwis for 101 on a lively pitch on Sunday’s first day.

And after the tourists took a lead of 110 on the final day, rain wrecking much of the second, he added an unbeaten 104 – his maiden first-class century – to follow Rory Burns’s 94 as Surrey made 364 second time round.

New Zealand A were left to battle for survival in the 36 overs left and limped to 136-6, pacemen Matthew Dunn finishing with six wickets in the match and Jade Dernbach five.

With Chris Tremlett struggling to overcome a shoulder problem which may require surgery at the end of the season, they should be joined by Stuart Meaker at Worcester.

“Aneesh worked hard in the winter when we offered him a trial and deserved the contract he was offered earlier this season,” added Stewart. “He was recommended by Vikram Solanki and has done well.”

Having already signed wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, 21, from Essex last month and now added 23-year-old all-rounder James Burke – who reached the Somerset staff from minor counties cricket with Devon, Surrey are starting to build a squad which might not achieve success this year but has the potential to do so in future seasons.